Having a strong commitment to work is often seen as a positive quality. However, it’s also important to recognize personal boundaries. Due to work demands, some individuals continue to work despite being sick, even from their hospital beds. Tragically, a factory worker at an electronics plant in the Bang Pu Industrial Estate, Muang district of Samut Prakan province, recently collapsed at work and later passed away after her request for additional sick leave was denied by the company.

 

The woman named May had initially taken sick leave from September 5 to 9, 2024, with a doctor’s note, as she had been diagnosed with colitis. After being hospitalized for four days, she was discharged, but her condition did not improve. On the evening of September 12, May requested two more days of sick leave. However, her manager insisted that she return to work and provide a new medical certificate, as she had already taken leave for several days.

 

Fearing the loss of her job, May reluctantly returned to work on September 13, despite being in severe pain. Just 20 minutes into her shift, she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. Unfortunately, her life could not be saved. May was pronounced dead on Saturday, September 14, 2024, due to necrotizing enterocolitis, according to the Bangkok Post.

 

The story quickly went viral on social media, with most netizens blaming the manager for denying her additional leave. However, some argued that her death may have resulted from the hospital's failure to provide proper treatment.

 

There’s often immense pressure to prioritize work over personal health. According to a survey conducted by Milieu in June 2022, 71% of Southeast Asian employees have chosen not to take sick leave despite being physically unwell. The reasons vary, but the top three reasons are because there’s too much work to do (51%), feeling bad about missing work (36%), and worried about missing out on important decisions or opportunities (31%).

 

While companies should not evaluate employees based on the number of sick days taken, this is not always the reality. In fact, 48% of surveyed employees reported that their companies factor in sick leave when assessing performance. It’s no wonder many employees come to work even when they’re unwell.

 

With the rising number of workplace wellness issues, a saying that resonates among workers comes to mind: “Work reasonably. If you get sick or die, your family will grieve, while the company will just find another employee.” This phrase serves as a powerful reminder to rethink workplace culture, where human dignity and well-being should take priority.

 

After all, we must ask ourselves: If work costs your health, is it worth the price?